On a spring evening in Detroit, a family dispute escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of Orlando Ross. The male victim was shot on May 29, 2017, while visiting his sister's home on Biltmore Street. Ross had gone to the residence after his sister called him about an argument she had with Darrius Zarran Williams, the father of her children.
The confrontation turned fatal when Williams allegedly shot Ross multiple times as he was getting out of his car.
Following the shooting, Williams, also known to some by the nickname 'Scrap,' fled the scene and became a fugitive. For nearly a year, his whereabouts remained unknown to law enforcement. In an effort to locate him, authorities offered a cash reward for any information that would lead to his arrest. The U.S. Marshals, in collaboration with Detroit and Michigan State Police, actively pursued leads to bring him into custody. During this time, the family of Orlando Ross waited, hoping for a resolution to the violent end of their loved one's life. Ross was remembered by his family as a man who enjoyed fixing cars and had a passion for music. He was an alumnus of Cody High School and was employed as a maintenance worker at a Popeye's restaurant, with aspirations of one day owning his own franchise.
The search for Darrius Williams came to an end on March 8, 2018. Acting on tips from the public, U.S. Marshals located and arrested him at a home on the west side of Detroit. He was taken into custody without incident, bringing a close to the manhunt. Following his arrest, Williams faced the judicial system for his alleged role in the death of Orlando Ross.
After his apprehension, Darrius Zarran Williams was brought to trial in Wayne County Circuit Court. A jury ultimately convicted him on charges of manslaughter for the killing of Orlando Ross. In addition to the manslaughter conviction, he was also found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Williams later appealed his conviction, but the legal proceedings affirmed the outcome of the trial, ensuring he would be held accountable for the death of Orlando Ross.
